Molecular basis of immunological cross-reactivity between Treponema pallidum and Treponema pertenue

Abstract

Protein antigens of Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, and Treponema pertenue, Gauthier strain, were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting techniques. Treponemal proteins were solubilized in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, electrophoresed on 12.5% polyacrylamide gels, and either stained with Coomassie brilliant blue or electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose paper. These antigen blots were incubated with sera from rabbits infected with either T. pallidum or T. pertenue and 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A and exposed to X-ray film for visualization of antigenic molecules. Protein profiles of each organism separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue showed no distinguishable differences. Antigenic profiles as determined by Western blots were similar with two exceptions. A 39,500-dalton band was present on T. pertenue but absent from T. pallidum, and a 19,000-dalton band was present on T. pallidum but absent from T. pertenue (although two additional antigenic bands at 21,000 and 18,000 daltons were seen on T. pertenue). Because these differences were detected by using antisera raised against either T. pallidum or T. pertenue, these molecules must contain some antigenic determinants in common despite their differences in molecular weight.

Molecular and immunochemical analysis ofTreponema pallidum

“…pallidum [25] and may have been P3, since it appeared slightly above the 45-kDa marker band, although we cannot identify it with any certainty. Rabbit sera were also used in comparisons of T. pallidum and Treponema pertenue [13,14]. An antigenic 48-kDa polypeptide relative to identical M r markers and values to those used by us was probably P3 [13], as was a prominent 45-kDa polypeptide against which a monoclonal antibody had been obtained [14].…”

“…Sera raised against either T. pallidum or T. pertenue were compared in their reactions with antigens of T. pallidum [13,14]. Some antigens of T. pallidum were reactive with both sera, including a trio of 37, 35 and 33 kDa [13] relative to M r standards and values identical to those we used.…”

“…Thus, P3 N B may be an outer membrane protein. Polypeptides approximating to the M r assigned to P3 (47000) feature prominently in the literature [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] as immunodominant antigens and as the target antigen of several reported examples of monoclonal antibodies. Genes encoding polypeptides approximating to this M r value have also been cloned [16,18,19].…”

Treponematosis and Lyme borreliosis connections: Explanation for Tchefuncte disease syndromes?

“…Warren (1972) suggested that Amerindians had acquired partial immunity to venereal syphilis as a result of a long exposure to treponemal pathogens. Strains of the spirochete causing the childhood forms of treponematosis (endemic syphilis, yaws or pinta) can provide partial immunity against venereal syphilis (Baker-Zander and Lukehart, 1983;Noordhoek et al, 1990). In extant populations, the relative absence of venereal syphilis in areas with a high prevalence of yaws is attributed to this cross-protection (Lukehart, 1985).…”

“…The morphology and serology of the strains of the spirochete which cause the diseases venereal syphilis, endemic syphilis, yaws and pinta are nearly identical; correspondingly, partial cross-immunity is recognized for these diseases. However, there are significant differences in their mode of transmission, their childhood or adult onset, and the severity and extent of effects they have on the human body (Baker-Zander and Lukehart, 1983;Fohn et al, 1988). Endemic syphilis and yaws have been identified in prehistoric North American Amerindian groups by several researchers (e.g., Robbins, 1978;Giardino, 1982;Cook, 1984;Powell, 1988;Reichs, 1989;Ross-Stallings, 1989;Schenner et al, 1990).…”